NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 20 – Ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th President of the United States of America later Friday, Kenyans have expressed mixed reactions on what his leadership will mean for Kenya and the continent.
Trump takes over formally from Barack Obama, marking a new beginning for the world’s most powerful nation in what is promising to be a major policy shift that will also affect Kenya and the rest of the world.
“Woe unto corrupt countries more so in Kenya. The corrupt regimes must come to an end,” Mathew Chege, a resident of Nairobi asserted.
“His administration might not have a direct impact on our economy but it is a wakeup call that we need to deal with corruption and issues of the rule of the law. People have been running away with public funds sadly even foreign aid, which I doubt Trump will allow to happen. He will deal ruthlessly with corrupt regimes.”
Another said, “We urge Trump to stop dropping statements just for the sake otherwise the entire world will destabilise.”
For Austin Amimo, a resident of Kisumu County, “President elect Trump will be against graft in Africa and specifically in Kenya. Trump is a good guy.”
Others think a Trump’s presidency will not be good for Africa.
“He does not belong to Africa but has his own personal interests in the world which may destabilize everything,” Charles Mageka cautioned.
They hope Obama can start a foundation that will empower the youth.
“I don’t think we stand to benefit or lose anything since when Obama was there, we did not gain anything anyway. US will have economic gain under a Trump’s administration but he won’t really care about Africa,” Faith Gatwiri said.
To cement his legacy in Kenya, Cynthia Mukami want Obama to start a private university in Kenya since, “there is nothing to show. After 10 years people will never remember that he was once a world leader.”
The outgoing president was however hailed for the current stability in the world.
“Obama was a peace maker and a good leader for the world,” Peter Okumu stated.
But not everyone is happy with Obama’s presidency because of the policies which destabilized some of the African countries like Libya after the killing of strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
“Obama has been a letdown to Africa and the world. He camouflaged that he was a good and a nice guy…take a stalk of his 8 years in power and you will see. Under his watch, our great African leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed,” Jared Onyar said.
Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States Friday – capping his improbable journey to the White House and beginning a four-year term that promises to shake up Washington and the world.
An estimated 800,000 people will gather on the National Mall in the centre of the nation’s capital to celebrate a man whose short 19-month political career has defied all predictions, and many norms.
When Trump descended the escalators of his glitzy New York tower in June 2015, his candidature was dismissed and even mocked.
But shortly before mid-day Friday, Trump will place his hand on Abraham Lincoln’s bible, recite the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol and become the most powerful man on earth.
In the primaries, he dominated a crowded Republican presidential field with bare-knuckle rhetoric and star power. He rode that same wave of anti-elite sentiment to victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November election.
The real estate mogul and onetime television reality star is also a political neophyte – he will be the first president never to have held elected office, served in the government or the armed forces.
On Twitter Obama exit hash tag was trending on Friday.
Here are some of the sentiments;
#ObamaExits the people of syria,tunisia,egypt,iraq,african americans,russians,wont miss u
— mbatia gathege (@harisonhimself) January 20, 2017
A man who killed Gaddafi and brought libya to it knees
is no friend of Africa. #ObamaExits— ?™YULE MTANZANIA©?? (@EsirEid) January 20, 2017
#ObamaExits leading 320M pple n biggest economy on earth.Yahya Jammeh of #Gambia can’t leave ruling 1.8M pple n poorest economy in Africa.😒 pic.twitter.com/6NVfCOODgy
— Kefah Wesley (@OsiriKefah) January 20, 2017
RT to show President Obama some last Respect and Love,5 Hours to go #ObamaExits #TrumpInauguration #Inauguration #ThankYouObama pic.twitter.com/jQC2HekDf2
— Hon.Ab Faj (@AbeebFajobi) January 20, 2017
Baba waiting for #TrumpInauguration in #WashingtonDC after #ObamaExits thinking he’ll join #NASA 😨😨 pic.twitter.com/Zrw0rWobpE
— Tom (@sharzidek) January 20, 2017